Traicy “Tapati” Tarongoy and Best Actor winner New Breed John Arcilla sang the “Halaw” theme.

Note: This article was originally written immediately after the Cinemalaya awards last July 2010. I prioritized the submission to a newspaper, which well didn’t publish it. That’s why I have this blog for those situations. AND there is an update to the success of the films mentioned here. “HALAW” by Sheron Dayoc is not only in Pusan but is also in the Rome film fest. “Limbunan” by Gutierrez Mangansakan II is competing in Venice. Watch out for more updates on these films on this blog. Otherwise enjoy the eloquence of our brethren from Mindanao and esteemed actor John Arcilla. To all the Cinemalaya film makers– you are all winners in my book. Keep the faith.

Written and photographed

by Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

A treacherous boat ride becomes the metaphor of the difficulties faced by most OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers). “Halaw” by Sheron Dayoc won both the Best Film and the Best Direction Awards in the New Breed Category. The dangerous crossing of the strait to Sabah, Malaysia by illegal immigrants is the subject of Sheron Dayoc’s film. “Shiekah” by Arnel Mardoquio won the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) award.

“Limbunan” by Gutierrez Mangansakan II is also a finalist in the same category as “Halaw”.  “Limbunan” provides an intimate look at a traditional Muslim wedding with all of its economic and emotional implications. “Boca” by Zurich Chan is a short film about the dependency on smoking shot in Zamboanga using the Chavcano dialect as a narration. These are 4 films from Mindanaons about their homeland that have received critical acclaim. Although “Limbunan” was not given an award in Cinemalaya it may well be the “Engkwentro” of this year’s batch. Pepe Diokno’s film “Engkwetro” was likewise snubbed by the juror’s and yet won 2 major awards from the Venice Film festival after its Cinemalaya run.

Arnel Mardoquio won the NETPAC award for Shiekah. Title role and producer who played herself in the film is standing behind him.

Arnel Mardoquio of “Shieka” in his acceptance speech thanked Cinemalaya for allowing him to keep “his artistic integrity.” He said, “Malinaw  na  kakagawa tayo ng magandang pelikula pag may artistic freedom. Nagpapasalamat ako sa aking producer siya po si Shieka. Galing po kami ng Davao. Magagaling po gumawa ng pelikula ang mga taga Mindanao. (It is clear that we can make good films when we have artistic freedom. I thank Shieka who is both my producer and the star. We come from Davao. People from Mindanao are also good film makers.” Mindanao has always been portrayed as poverty stricken and the hot bed of violence and kidnapping. The dearth of creativity is also attributed to the distance of the island from the capital city of Manila. Film makers from Mindanao have not been given the attention they deserve, until now.

Perhaps the most eloquent speech in the history of local awards, New Breed Best Actor winner John Arcilla also for “Halaw” encapsulated their experience of shooting and the significance of just being able to accomplish the film. He related how their child actor Arnalyn Ismael who played Daying an adorable 9 year-old came to the set simply because she wanted to eat 3 meals a day in spite of her being so talented. He also spoke about the real life story of Nasri Tawasil who played Amir who dives in waters 300 feet deep just to earn P150 a day. 3 of his friends have already died from the job. When Arcilla asked Nasri why he couldn’t get any other job, the response from employers was “because you’re Muslim”.

Arcilla said,“Ayoko kayong pasalamatan dahil ito ay bonus lamang. Gusto po kayong pasalamatan dahil nang binuo niyo ang Cinemalaya ay mas malaki pa sa trophy ang inyong ginawa. Binigyan niyo ng isang malawak o malayang languyan ang mga alagad ng sining sa litratong gumagalaw, sa kanilang opinion at pananaw tungkol sa ating pamayanan at daigdig. Makikita natin ‘to sa pamamagitan ng kanilang camera. Ang gusto ko pong sabihin sa Cinemalaya ay mabuhay po kayo. Salamat kay Sheron Dayoc, kay Zurich at sa lahat ng production staff (I don’t want to thank you for this trophy because when you organized Cinemalaya you started something greater than any award. You gave artists a space and the freedom to express themselves through motion pictures their opinions and viewpoint about our society and the world. Thank you to Sheron Dayoc, Zurich Chan and all the production staff )”

Arcilla ended his speech, “… Kakaiba ang na tutunan ko sa paglikha namin dito sa Halaw. Panalangin ko na sa ating lahat dito na gumagawa ng ganitong klasing sining ipakita natin ang kahirapan di lamang para sa ating inspirasyon at karangalan, sana po ay maging simula po ito ng pagbabago ng kalagayan ng ating bansa. (“Halaw” was a unique learning experience. It is my fervent hope that all artists and film makers here that we show poverty, not just as an inspiration or for our own honor but become a starting point for genuine change in our country)”

Mindanaon film makers Best Director Sheron Dayoc of “Halaw” with Gutierrez Mangansakan II of “Limbunan”.

Lito Zulueta who has bee a juror twice for Cinemalaya and a member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino was able to explain that none of the jurors were aware of the challenges that came in the production of “Halaw”.  Typically in international fests awards between Best Picture, Best Direction and Special Jury Prize are usually spread among different films. With “Halaw” there was no question with the jurors that it deserved both Best Picture and Direction. “The material is very original at the same time it informs the public of what really happens in the border of Malaysia and the Philippines. It contains everything that is fresh, new and indie.”